The budget for the new community hub in downtown Bradford just increased by approximately $1.8M, with hopes of having most of it paid for by the federal government. 

In a Special Meeting of Committee of the Whole on Thursday night, BWG councillors were updated on the planned community hub at 177 Church Street, the old Bradford Public School.

The town acquired the 28,600 sq. ft. single-storey building and its three-acre property in late 2020 with plans of creating a centralized community hub, to provide a  variety of community and social services for its residents and relocating some of the town’s non-profit organizations currently housed in the aging, run-down St. Mary’s building, at 123 Moore St., home of the Helping Hand Food Bank. 

The hub will include: 

• A main entry feature including common open space with reception area
• A commercial kitchen with an expanded event/community room
• An area that would accommodate the Food Bank’s requirements
• A conservative approach to common space finishes
• Parking considerations and exterior improvements
• Leasable space for community service/program providers
• New HVAC

In the February 2021 meeting, council agreed to enlist the help of an architect or structural engineer, before looking at the options and deciding on a renovation plan for the building. The staff report recommended spending $75K to sole-source consulting services. 

The project budget previously presented to council in February showed an estimate of $4,248,187. 

However, the study showed that the windows and roof will need to be replaced, which was not included in the original project cost estimates.  

“After further consideration, it’s pretty essential that we do (replace the windows and roof),” noted Director of Community Services Terry Foran. “The roof insulation is deficient or non-existent…and holding no insulation value.”

He also noted that many of the windows are damaged or broken beyond repair due to vandalism.   

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